The Urban Setaria spp. Seed Pool

I renovated an east-facing flower bed in my backyard, along my garage, for a foxtail seed bank (below).

I mixed in several kilos of giant, green, yellow, knotroot and bristly foxtail seed from my world collections into the black, rich soil in 1997.  The intention is to see which foxtail species and variants adapt to this shaded location, and to provide enjoyment over the years on my patio. 

In 1998 seedling established themselves early in the uncultivated foxtail residue from 1997 plants (below).  Once started, few other weeds have appeared in this monoculture.

Possibly the first steps in local selection and adaptation are taking place.  Giant foxtail plants with a prostrate habit began extending themselves over the edge of bed to capture more light and escape the heavy competition and population density within the bed (below, left).  The decumbent axes of some of these giant foxtail plants can be seen in more detail (below middle, right).

The first giant foxtail seed head (panicle) emerged in early August in this shady spot.

The annual cycle of growth moves to shedding seed, scenescence and death:

And then the long winter's sleep, a good time for slow, mellow after-ripening:

©jdekker-2003